Seatbelt assembly
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRichard Edward Ruthinowski, Kevin M. Pline
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seatbelt assembly and method of operating that includes a tongue assembly having a weblock and a secondary weblock mounted to a tongue selectively securable to a buckle; a webbing extending adjacent to the weblock and secondary weblock between a torso portion and a lap portion; and the weblock and secondary weblock allowing for the webbing to slide between the torso and lap portions when in unlocked positions and pivoting relative to the tongue such that the weblock and secondary weblock prevent the webbing from sliding between lap and torso portions in locked positions.
Claims15
A method of operating a seatbelt comprising:
- allowing for webbing sliding between a lap portion and a torso portion through a tongue assembly when unlocked;
- and
- upon forces exerted by an occupant on the webbing, a weblock and a secondary weblock both locking the webbing from movement between the lap and torso portions, wherein, in the locked position, the weblock flexes to provide payout in the torso Portion.
A seatbelt assembly comprising:
- a tongue assembly having a weblock and a secondary weblock mounted to a tongue selectively securable to a buckle;
- a webbing extending adjacent to the weblock and secondary weblock between a torso portion and a lap portion;
- and
- the weblock and secondary weblock allowing for the webbing to slide between the torso and lap portions when in unlocked positions and pivoting relative to the tongue such that the weblock and secondary weblock prevent the webbing from sliding between lap and torso portions in locked positions, wherein the tongue assembly includes a bar secured to the tongue and a housing secured to the bar such that the housing is pivotable relative to the tongue, the weblock including a flange having a slot through which the webbing extends, with the slot selectively engaging the webbing to lock the webbing in the slot.
A method of operating a seatbelt comprising:
- allowing for webbing sliding between a lap portion and a torso portion through a tongue assembly when unlocked;
- and
- upon forces exerted by an occupant on the webbing, a weblock and a secondary weblock both locking the webbing from movement between the lap and torso portions, with the weblock initially locking the webbing upon the forces exerted by the occupant and the secondary weblock locking the webbing as the weblock releases the webbing due to the exerted forces by the occupant increasing on the webbing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.